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Check It Out: Books that give a bird’s-eye view

By Jan Johnston
Published: December 6, 2020, 6:02am
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The National Audubon Society will be conducting its annual Christmas Bird Count starting Dec. 14 and concluding on Jan. 5. According to the Audubon website, the CBC is “an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the U.S., Canada and many countries in the Western Hemisphere go out over a 24-hour period on one calendar day to count birds.” If you want more information on how to participate, be sure to take a look at www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count.

Birdwatching is one of my favorite activities. It’s especially fun during the winter because our feathered friends are on the lookout for food; and if you have bird feeders in your yard, you’re bound to attract a variety of winged visitors. My birds are so accustomed to seeing me fill the feeders and the bird bath that as soon as I step outside their eyes are on me – not in a creepy way but in a here’s-the-lady-who-feeds-us way. From a party of jays to a banditry of chickadees, wings and beaks get busy with seeds, nuts and suet. Once in a while a newcomer appears, like the downy woodpecker who recently stopped by for a quick snack. And of course, the hummingbirds just keep going and going – my little jetfighters with feathers.

The library has a great collection of books about birds, birdwatching, and how to attract and feed our avian neighbors. I’m offering a small sample to get you started, but be sure to search the online catalog at www.fvrl.org for more wonderful titles. Kids can join in on the bird fun, too, so I’ve included a couple of kid-friendly books. You never know where bird-watching might lead you. My mom helped my brother to become a fan of all things avian when he was young, which led to an interest in aviation, and ultimately to receiving his private pilot’s license. In this case a bird isn’t just a bird. Sometimes the bird’s-eye view expands our own view of the world and leads us to unexpected adventures.

• “100 Birds to See Before You Die: The Ultimate Wish List for Birders Everywhere” by David Chandler

• “Bird Watching for Kids: Bite-Sized Learning & Backyard Projects” by George H. Harrison.

• “Bird-Watcher’s Bible: A Complete Treasury – Science, Know-How, Beauty, Lore” by Jonathan K. Alderfer.

• “Birds & Blooms: Ultimate Guide to Backyard Birding” by Sheryl DeVore.

• “Birds of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Guide” by Tom Aversa.

• “How to Know the Birds: The Art & Adventure of Birding” by Ted Floyd.

• “The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America” by Bill Thompson III.

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